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Gov. Kasich Signs Order To Combat Measles and Mumps Outbreaks

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSPD) -- The state continues to fight two illness outbreaks: mumps and measles. In an effort to combat the easily spread diseases, Gov. John Kasich signed an executive order Monday allowing pharmacists to give the vaccination that prevents both illnesses.

"After two doses of vaccine the MMR vaccine is 88 percent effective in preventing mumps and 97 percent effective in preventing measles," said Dr. Mary DiOrio with the Ohio Dept. of Health.

Since the order was just signed, DiOrio suggests calling your local pharmacy before going in for a vaccine. The governor's order is only in effect for 90 days, but there is a push to make the change permanent.

The Ohio Pharmacy Board says it is up to individual pharmacies to decide whether or not to carry the vaccine.

Ohio has the nation's largest outbreak of measles cases since 1994 with at least 287 confirmed cases in 7 counties. The latest was an infant in Highland County. All of the other cases are confined to a six-county area in north-central Ohio where there is a large Amish population, who traditionally have lower vaccination rates. A church group that took a missions trip to the Philippines is believed to be the cause of the outbreak.

Ohio also has 418 probable and confirmed mumps cases reported, but DiOrio believes those cases peaked in April and have started to decline.